"It has been seen as a breath of fresh air being brought into the region as far as diplomacy."

[dajoki]

SanFrancisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/04/06/MNGAMP45CB1.DTL&type=politics

Mideast media mostly upbeat on visit
Pelosi's trip praised for its diplomacy, but journalists wonder if it will have lasting political impact
Matthew B. Stannard, Amr Emam, Chronicle Staff Writers

Friday, April 6, 2007

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is receiving a warm welcome from much of the regional press as she tours the Middle East -- both Arabic and English commentators are calling her visit a pleasantly diplomatic departure from the Bush administration's foreign policy.

<<snip>>

Many Middle East commentators saw the cross-party criticism as a debate not just about Syria but about the fundamental nature of President Bush's foreign policy for the region, and many viewed Pelosi's visit as signaling a welcome shift in approach.

<<snip>>

Jordan's Ad Dustur newspaper editorialized, "It must be stated that Pelosi's visit to Syria is a step in the right direction, given the fact that the way of the Democrats to the American presidency is wide open."

<<snip>>

"When I compare it, for example, to the visits of Condoleezza Rice, who is the secretary of state, this definitely created more of a buzz," he said. "People in the States think this is a Democratic propaganda campaign. ... This has been seen totally differently in the Middle East. It has been seen as a breath of fresh air being brought into the region as far as diplomacy."

Some of the reason for that buzz, Dajani said, may be a broad perception in the Middle East that America is politically homogenous, with widespread support in the public and government for the White House's approach.

[LiberalFighter]

1. Too bad this wasn't posted in LBN